PO Box 127, Rondebosch, 7701
Tel: 021 6742972 Fax: 0866166988 Cell: 0824541149
surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com
2012
SA GROMMET GAMES
INFORMATION & SELECTION CRITERIA
BACKGROUND
The SA Grommet Games are SSA’s premier Entry Level National Event.
Provinces must adhere to the SSA Transformation policy with respect to Team selection.
The success of this event over the years has assisted SSA with the transformation of surfing
in South Africa.
The SA Grommet Games caters for entry-level girls and boys, from the U8 division to the U16 divisions.
EVENT OVERVIEW
The important element of participation and teamwork remains the focus for the SA Grommet Games.
The event consists of:

INDIVIDUAL SURFING HEATS IN EACH DIVISION.

A TAG TEAM CONTEST.

A PADDLE BATTLE.

A BEACH FLAGS CHALLENGE.
The wining TAG TEAM will receive a trophy and the surfers who competed in the Tag team event
in the top four teams will receive medals.
The winners of the PADDLE BATTLE (girls & boys) receive a trophy each and the top three finishers
will receive medals.
The winner of the FLAGS CHALLENGE (girls & boys) will receive a trophy and the top three finishers will receive medals.
The overall winning Provincial Team will receive the MANDELA BAY TROPHY and each team member will receive
a medal.
The NELSON MANDELA TROPHY winners will be determined from the combination of points from all the elements
(Tag Team, Flags, Paddle Battle, Surfing).
The BEST TEAM AWARD will go to the team that shows the best team spirit from the Opening Function and on every day
of the event right up to and including the Finals.
The BEST TEAM is not necessarily the team with the best results but the team that represents their province best
through spirit, support, team kit, team area while displaying fair play and sportsmanship.
The Contest Coordinator, Contest Director & Head Judge will determine the BEST TEAM winner.
The BEST TEAM AWARD will ONLY be made to a team that adheres to the required team selection criteria.
All these elements of the Grommet Games will take place at Pollock Beach and will be coordinated by SSA
and hosted by the Eastern Province Surfing Council.
All team members will surf at least twice and the heat formats are the same or similar to the SA Junior
Champs.
OPENING FUNCTION
The Opening Function will take place at 7.00 pm on Wednesday April 4th in the AMPITHEATRE at the Boardwalk in Port
Elizabeth.
All teams are expected to attend this compulsory function.
TEAM LISTS
Team lists are required by no later than March 25th so that they can be included in the brochure.
Please email these team names to the SSA offices at surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com
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CRITERIA FOR PROVINCIAL TEAM SELECTION: SA GROMMET GAMES 2012
1. SSA remains committed to the transformation of surfing through the active
involvement of surfers and officials from marginalised and disadvantaged
communities.
2. The main focus of the Grommet Games remains on encouraging participation by
officials and surfers who have rarely had the opportunity to participate in other
provincial & national events.
3. In order to meet SSA transformation and development objectives, specific selection
criteria MUST be adhered to.
4. This team selection criterion applies to all participating provinces.
5. Provinces unable to adhere to or follow the team selection criteria should contact
SSA President Mark Hoffman on 0826900592 to obtain a ruling.
TEAM SELECTION CRITERIA
1. Surfers who have progressed into the third round of the SA Junior Champs or
into the second round of an elite junior event (PST or ASP) are not eligible to
compete in the Grommet Games.
2. Surfers who have reached the third round of a regional event are not eligible to
compete in the Grommet Games.
3. Surfers who have reached the Finals of the U14 & U16 Divisions at previous
Grom Games MAY NOT compete again.
4. Rules 1 & 2 do not apply to surfers who competed in the U8, U10 & U12
divisions in the 2011 Grommet Games.
5. These surfers may participate in these divisions if eligible, or in the U14 or U16
divisions in the 2012 Grom Games.
6. No surfer may compete more than twice in the Grommet Games
7. Surfers who have represented their provincial teams at the SA or SA Junior
Championships in any division no longer qualify to compete in this event.
8. Surfers who were members of the SA Development Academy Team at a SA
Junior Champs and who comply with the criteria may compete in the Grommet
Games.
9. Surfers who have reached the semi finals and beyond in provincial trials in the
U13, U15 and U17 Divisions are not eligible to compete in the Grommet Games.
10. Any surfer who has competed in National Team selection trials may not compete in
the Grommet Games.
11. Provinces which lack surfers in a specific age group may use transformation surfers
who have competed in the Grommet Games previously to fill these places in their
teams. However, Rule 5 applies: they may not surf in the Grommet Games more than
twice.
12. In these cases prior approval must be obtained from SSA President Mark Hoffman.
13. Provinces which do not adhere to the selection criteria and who have not provided
SSA with an acceptable reason for any deviation from the rules will be penalised as
per the Transformation Points document of 2012.
14. Provinces are expected to support the selection criteria and transformation and
development criteria as well as support participation in and involvement with the
event.
15. Local surf clubs, and surf schools which draw their members from marginalised and
previously disadvantaged communities, must be canvassed for their input when
trials are held or teams are selected for the Grommet Games.
UPDATE: JANUARY, 2012
ROBIN DE KOCK
January 2012
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